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Travel to San Antonio for a Romantic Riverwalk

When one thinks of San Antonio attractions, the first thought is naturally the Alamo. Though obviously an important and historic site, a battle site is not always the best choice for a romantic getaway. Luckily, San Antonio has more to offer for the amorous vacationer. Many hotels in San Antonio cluster around one of their most romantic features: the Riverwalk.
The Paseo del Rio Riverwalk is the leading tourist attraction in San Antonio-not a bad accomplishment, considering the Alamo is in town. The walk is one story below street level and stretches for about three miles along the banks of the San Antonio River, right through downtown. Its beautiful stone paths connect the Riverwalk to many of San Antonio's featured tourist attractions. There are even plans to expand it to a total of 13 miles, connecting it to attractions in the north and south. The walk is a great mix of quiet scenic stretches and bustling centers of activity with bars, shops and even strolling mariachi bands. The lining buildings are beautiful and there are great places to watch the boars go by-it's not surprising that many San Antonio hotels are located near the Riverwalk. Below are a few of the closest and top-rated.

Hotel Valencia Riverwalk
Hotel Valencia is one of a few boutique hotels in San Antonio and has hosted stars like American Idol's Ryan Seacrest, Simon Cowell and Paula Abdul. With decor that is a modern take on traditional, paired with Spanish archways and columns along with polished concrete posts and dark-wood furniture, you'll feel immediately relaxed just walking through the hotel grounds. The beds in the rooms are custom-designed with imported designer linens and faux mink throws. The balcony rooms are the most romantic, overlooking the beautifully landscaped banks of the Riverwalk.

Drury Inn & Suites San Antonio Riverwalk
The Drury Inn & Suites is located in the landmark Petroleum Commerce Building right on the riverfront. These more romantic rooms have terraces overlooking the river and, though you would think otherwise, this is one of the more affordable San Antonio hotels near the Riverwalk.

El Tropicano Riverwalk Hotel
This hotel captures the glitzy, Latin feel of an Acapulco resort. It has an aviary filled with tropical birds and there are exotic drinks available at the bar, making guests feel like they're a bit closer to paradise. For romantic views, ask for a riverfront room. Mangos restaurant features alfresco dining along a nice, quiet stretch of the Riverwalk.

Hilton Palacio del Rio
Located in a busy central part of the Riverwalk, the Hilton is close to many great restaurants and attractions. The rooms with a balcony overlook the river, making a cozy place to watch the barges and tourists go by.

Hotel Contessa Suites on the Riverwalk
This is an exceptional example of the new boutique hotels in San Antonio. This luxurious hotel features warm contemporary decor, with plenty of exposed brick, stone walls, and flowers. Hotels with suites are not too common right on the river, but these suites feature romantic amenities like fireplaces and marble bathrooms. There is an Aveda spa, a heated outdoor pool and a hot tub on the property, as well.

Hyatt Place San Antonio/Riverwalk
Hyatt Place is more stylish than you would expect from an established all-suites or extended-stay hotel. Every room features a luxurious "Grand Bed" and sleek furnishings. The hotel is located on a quiet stretch of the river, not too far from the entertainment district.

Omni Hotels & Resorts
The hotel, originally built as a school in 1852, features Spanish tiles and archways and exposed beams. Styled for romance, the hotel decor includes soft, earthy tones and is located on a quiet section of the river (although it's still very close to the entertainment district). For a romantic getaway, ask for one of the many rooms with a shared balcony or veranda overlooking the river.

San Antonio's Riverwalk Vista
Among boutique hotels in San Antonio, this is one of the most noteworthy. It features hardwood floors, exposed-brick walls and notable South Texas influences. Floor-to-ceiling windows with views of Alamo Plaza or the River Walk are available in almost every room. Every room also features slate-tiled walk-in showers.

Watermark Hotel & Spa
One of the more modern San Antonio Hotels was built within the shell of the historic 19th-century L. Frank Saddlery Building. This luxury dwelling has an entrance facing the Riverwalk and features sleek modern suites and rooms with 12-foot ceilings and marble whirlpool baths. Rooms have leather furniture, hardwood floors, and canopy beds. There are some rooms with balconies, too. There is even a European-style spa on the property.
San Antonio is not just for amateur historians-the Riverwalk offers a great place for a romantic stroll and a romantic stay in a quality hotel.
This guest post article was written by freelance writer Charles Watkins who is also an avid traveler and loves to write about his journeys.

Enjoying a Romantic Weekend in Myrtle Beach, SC

Sand between your toes with warm, frothy waves nipping at your ankles. The lazy curve of Myrtle Beach transforming from ivory white to blushing pinks, reflecting the sky as the sun dips below the horizon. Sounds like the perfect romantic beach vacation.

But why stop there? The city's shoreline is dotted with restaurants offering dining with a view and nightclubs filled with the hedonistic rhythms of salsa or reggae. It's not surprising that visiting couples looking for a bit of romance decide to stick around for a while. Just a quick visit to any of the local apartment brokers could entice a happy pair to move into one of the posh beachside apartments in Myrtle Beach.

The Beach, and Then Some
It is quite enjoyable to spend time on the vast stretch of sand fronting the Atlantic Ocean at Myrtle Beach. Still, there is life beyond the beach towel and the coconut scented sunscreen. The Myrtle Beach Boardwalk and Promenade leads past hotels, oceanfront Myrtle Beach apartments, the Pavilion Amusement Park and the smile-producing Ripley's Believe it or Not Museum. Walk three blocks inland and play a round of mini-golf in the primeval forest of Mount Atlanticus Minotaur Golf. Two more blocks brings you to the Coastal Grand Mall. Indulge in a movie at the Cinemark Theater and then follow the scent of chocolate to Mrs. Fields for a sweet cookie treat. The mall is also home to a number of service businesses, including apartment brokers and the local Post Office. Some of the most sought after apartments in Myrtle Beach are within walking distance of both the Coastal Grand Mall and the beach.

Getting Good and Wet
Stay right on the beach and visit the Myrtle Waves Water Park. The water slides and giant wave pool will get your adrenaline pumping and may even be a bit rowdy. For a bit of down time, you and your special someone can take a slow moving raft ride down the LayZee River and then rent a private cabana to escape the crowds. Then it's time to get back out on the ocean on a jet-ski or a bouncy banana boat. Companies such as Ocean Watersports offer rentals and rides. The banana boat rides, running $15 per person as of 2011, are a bit more wallet friendly than the $100 per hour jet skis. Either way, it is a bit of a rush to dash through the waves, the two of you holding on for dear life. You can also choose to see the coastline from an entirely different perspective. Take a parasail ride, averaging $50 per person, and watch all those Myrtle Beach apartments and hotels pass beneath your feet.

Myrtle Beach after Dark
When the sun goes down, the stars come out. Those stars aren't limited to flecks of light in the night sky. Broadway at the Beach offers eateries such as the Hard Rock Cafe, known for its celebrity-driven decor and pulse pounding sounds. Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville offers dining in a romantic, tropical setting. For some serious partying, there is Señor Frog's, offering Mexican fare and the famous Chocolate Martini. After dark Señor Frog's is an adult only venue. Join the conga line, indulge in Jell-O shots and dance to a reggae band or to hot tunes spun by a live DJ. You may be tempted to do an impromptu apartment search after finding out how much fun this place is. If a quiet meal for two is more your style, try the oceanfront Pier 14, located on a pier that has been part of the Myrtle Beach landscape since 1926. Dine inside or out on fresh seafood, prime rib or pasta with a seafood twist. Add a bottle of California or Australian wine and a panoramic ocean view, and you have romance personified.

Tee for Two
If golf is your pleasure, you'll find a number of courses within a few miles drive of Myrtle Beach. The closest one is Whispering Pines, which is only a few blocks from the south end of the beach. Rates for this 18-hole course, as of 2011, range between $35 and $55 per round depending on the season. River Oaks Golf Plantation is a bit farther inland and offers three separate 18-hole courses. This is a more upscale resort, offering both memberships and single-round play. Rates here run from $60 to $75 per round. Golf Digest named two of River Oaks' courses, the Bear and the Fox, as the best places to play during the 2008-2009 season. The near-perfect year round golf weather is just another reason to start that apartment search to find your ideal Myrtle Beach vacation home.

Even on days when you don't feel like taking to the greens or dancing the night away at a local hotspot, you can always indulge in an intimate hand-in-hand walk along the sands. The real magic of Myrtle Beach lies in its natural wonders, particularly its sunsets. They are romantically spectacular… and free.

This guest post article was written and provided by Martha Keagan who is a freelance writer, full time mother and part time real estate and Myrtle Beach apartments broker.

Romantic Weekend Getaway in New Orleans

New Orleans is a city that is perfect for a romantic weekend getaway. The city offers a unique culture that is a vibrant mix of its Creole, African, French and Spanish historical influences. Add a dose of both Catholic and Pagan religious traditions, and the result is always intriguing.

The city is known for two things above all else, which is how to cook amazing food and how to throw an amazing party. In terms of accommodation, the city offers an wide array of lovely boutique hotels which are full of romance and history. The Magnolia House, for instance, is one of the most famous plantations houses in New Orleans which has been converted into a bed-and-breakfast. It's romance is increased even more by the fact that it was originally built for a young bride, and it now serves as a wedding venue as well.